East Haven Police Assist In Huge Heroin Trafficking Investigation

NEW HAVEN, CT — A major heroin trafficker pleaded guilty in federal court today and East Haven Police were part of the investigation that led to the plea by Brian K. Backman, 54, of New Haven. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

According to federal prosecutors, Backman, also known as “New York B,” was heard on wiretaps talking about getting large quantities of heroin from a supplier in New York to distribute in and around New Haven.

On June 16, 2019, prosecutors said Backman sent a courier to pick up some 10,000 bags of heroin and when they returned, were arrested in a Hamden parking lot. Three weeks later, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 15-count indictment charging Backman and 24 others in the heroin trafficking ring.

The investigation, which included East Haven police, had buys of heroin. And, the investigation found that the operation extended far beyond the region and into Fitchburg, Massachusetts, which federal prosecutors described as being "a second drug trafficking network that involved the large-scale distribution of heroin."

Backman was identified as a supplier. He's been locked up since July.

Monday he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 13, 2020, in Hartford.

This case was investigated by the DEA, the FBI, New Haven, Milford, Hamden and East Haven police departments, the Connecticut State Police, and the Connecticut Department of Corrections.